Bob Faro: Unity in U.S. and throughout world needed to fight terrorism

Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking Feb. 18 at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, has begun using the acronym Daesh, rather than Islamic State, to refer to the terrorist group.

Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking Feb. 18 at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, has begun using the acronym Daesh, rather than Islamic State, to refer to the terrorist group. (Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

Opinion: Why we should use Daesh, not Islamic State

Daesh, the term most Arabs use to describe what is inaccurately termed Islamic State, is a derogatory term for the terrorist organization, which in no way is Islamic and even less a state. The use of Daesh omits Islam from the description and, in Arab, the term is an acronym similar to another Arabic word that means "to trample down and crush." The terrorist group despises the term so much it threatens to kill anyone, so let's use the term rather than placate them any further. The actions by Daesh are contrary to everything Islamic. The recent burning alive of a Jordanian pilot is proof positive because no true Muslim would burn a fellow Muslim because cremation is an abomination. They occupy ground, not a state.

Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking at NATO headquarters in Belgium in December, began using Daesh to describe the group. The Arab world uses it largely. France has begun using it. The terrorist group hates it because it gives no authenticity to what it wants to be known as. Others in the European Union are starting to do the same, and like all actions against an enemy, allies must be unanimous and not divided.

Because this cowardly organization hides within local communities to shield itself from retaliatory actions, the cries for "boots on the ground" increase. If so, 'boots on the ground" must be the boots worn by military of all Arab nations, not by American forces who have died often and repeatedly for many nations that are never there for us.

We can support the cause financially and with weapons. How many who call for American boots on the ground have never served, will never serve, and are war hawks with no backbone themselves? The Arab world itself has much to gain with allied actions but even more to lose if it is not allied against Daesh.

At the same time, President Obama has sought approval from Congress to commit troops under the War Powers Act of 1973, which most presidents have ignored, but his request has restrictions on his abilities and limitations on any large-scale U.S. forces involvement. Fear ignites the American public to act and vote in desired ways that are often discarded. Fear brought us the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but in the end we were left with these WMDs — words of mass distortion. We do have much to fear but only united can we succeed.

It will undoubtedly be an enduring conflict, if the coalition has the staying power. If not, will the war hawks pander for our boots on the ground while rarely serving their country themselves? And of course the doves, fearing the return of a draft, will resist any action at all.

If all we can offer is far right and far left ideals to solve this crisis or to take any course of action, success may be as much luck as it is purpose. A budget will definitely be a major consideration because even without our boots on the ground it is obvious that the U.S. will be called upon to fund the battle in a major way. Did you think anything differently?

In the end, many changes for this nation's approach are necessary but as long as those in charge make the rules change is slow to come, if ever. Start with term limits for our elected representatives. Bring in a new supply of leaders continually. Bring back the draft; everyone should serve in some capacity. Hold the media fully accountable at all times.

I'm amazed at the so-called elites of our generation who have spent much of their lives on the inside, but they can never seem to agree consistently on a correct and positive course of action. It is past time that we stop pointing fingers and make this United States of America become more united once again. It really wasn't that long ago that leaders from both sides could talk to each other. Now that seems to be a rarity.

Bob Faro, who lives in Upper Nazareth Township, is a member of various Lehigh Valley veterans groups.